Khan confirms talks with Pacquiao for 2016 showdown in Las Vegas

British welterweight Amir Khan could be set his toughest challenge yet with all-time great Manny Pacquiao in the first part of 2016.

The Bolton welterweight (31-3-KO19) has not fought since outpointing Chris Algieri in May, However former gym-mate Pacquiao (57-6-2-KO38) has also only had one fight this year with his defeat against Floyd Mayweather.

Amir Khan believes fighting and defeating Manny Pacquiao could force Floyd Mayweather out of retirement to fight the Bolton welterweight. Mayweather had always maintained he would retire once he has matched Rocky Marciano’s record of 49-0 and has said “he has nothing left to prove” and would not be lured back to for a 50th fight.

“I think Floyd Mayweather will have one more fight. He’s on 49-0 and he knows that. He’s got one more fight left in him. At the moment he’s matching Rocky Marciano’s record but he can beat him and get to 50. I’m there ready and waiting for him.

“I think he thinks I’m too dangerous for him. I don’t think he’ll ever want to fight me. I bring too much to the table and would cause him a lot of problems.

“It’s all a waiting game. I’ll speak to Al Haymon and sees what he says. I’ll see what he thinks is the best option but I need to fight the biggest names in boxing and the best fighters in the world.

“I want to fight Manny Pacquiao next because if I beat him, maybe that will make Floyd Mayweather come out of retirement to fight me. The public demand would be huge.

“Me and Manny have been friends for a long time but sometimes you have to put friendship to one side.

“We’ve done plenty of rounds in the ring together, sparring. No-one’s ever seen the sparring sessions, I haven’t leaked any videos.

‘We had the same trainer so as a storyline, it will be a great fight. With what I’ve learned in the last few years, I can definitely fight Manny Pacquiao, and beat Manny Pacquiao.

“I’m looking at fighting in December but if not then it will be as late as February. We’re looking at a few different opponents and hopefully we’ll find out exactly in the next week or so.

“I’d like to fight Danny Garcia and settle the score properly. I’d like that fight as well and in the next two or three weeks we should know exactly who I’m going to be against.

Amir King Khan is also willing to face his bitter rival Kell Brook in 2016 but believes the IBF world welterweight champion needs to fight big-name boxers first. Brooks takes on Argentine Diego Chavez on October 24th to defend his IBF world welterweight belt for the 3rd time, while his rival Khan is undergoing talks with the Pacquiao camp and has also revealed he is ready to have a rematch with Danny Garcia, who defeated him in 2012.

“Kell Brook is another good name. In 2016 I’ll think he’ll get that fight. I don’t know much about Diego Chaves [Brook’s next opponent] but I know that he’s lost three of his last five fights. He’s really got to up his game and fight the top guys like I do.

“I wish him all the best and hope he keeps winning. I want to fight these top guys like Timothy Bradley and Marcos Maidana. That makes our fight bigger.”

Manny Pacquiao is coming to the end of an incredible career and is currently recovering from a shoulder injury he accrued to the build up to his fight against Mayweather back in May. Pacquiao has had a successful MRI scan on Monday and is expected to Face Khan in February or April. He’s a boxer who enjoys taking on the best fighters in his category and he will feel as though he would still have enough to beat Khan.